Press Release/News

McHutchison Corporation Announces New Leadership Structure

March 2017

Wayne, NJ – McHutchison Corporation today announced a new structure across its operating units, McHutchison Horticultural Distributors and Vaughan’s Horticulture, as the two divisions continue with strong growth across North America.

“Today’s announcement outlines important enhancements to our operating structure across our two divisions that will better support our evolving businesses and leverage the strong management that we have developed within our employee owned company,” said Mike Tizio, CEO of the Corporation.

Scott Crownover, previously the Vice President of Sales and Marketing will become Division President of McHutchison Horticultural Distributors. Keith Cable, previously Vice President, will become Division President of Vaughan’s Horticulture.

Additionally, added to the senior management team is Mike Pezzillo as Vice President of Operations for McHutchison Horticultural Distributors. “Mike is a long term member of our team, and has served as our Nursery Manager for the last ten years,” says Tizio. Pezzillo will oversee the IT division of the company as well as all key internal operations of the organization.

Mike Tizio remains CEO of the Corporation.

Melanie Byrne Promoted to Plant Department Manager

September 2016

McHutchisonannounced the promotion of Melanie Byrne to Plant Department Manager. The announcement was made by Scott Crownover, Vice President of McHutchison.

“Melanie’s ability and contributions have been invaluable and she embodies so many of the wonderful traits of our company. Her innovative thinking, ability to partner and overall strategic vision will continue to enhance the direction, growth, and profitability of McHutchison,” said Crownover.

Byrne joined the 2008 team at McHutchison in the management-training program and quickly advanced to the role of Assistant Product Manager, specializing in the plants and foliage division. Her nearly 25 years of industry experience in customer-focused supply-chain solutions and technical marketing made her a natural fit for the current promotion. Melanie will be succeeding Janet Thibault as the Plant Department Manager who will be retiring after leading the department for 33 years.

As Plant Department Manager at McHutchison, Byrne will oversee vendor relationships, marketing operations, product management, alliances, and customer support relations, while assisting in the definition and demonstration of McHutchison’s vision.

Alexis Moretti Joins McHutchison

September 2016

McHutchison has hired Alexis Moretti as a new sales representative specializing in greenhouse product offerings in the states of Maryland and Northern Virginia. Alexis is a 1998 graduate of Delaware Valley College with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Horticulture. Prior to coming to McHutchison, Alexis has worked for two high-profile nurseries in the industry, including her last five years as the Sales Manager for Tidal Creek Growers, and before that, as the Business Development Manager for Homestead Growers in Davidson, MD.

Alexis will immediately assume the territory as a sales representative serving the greenhouse market. “Alexis is going to be a very valuable and contributing member to our team,” says Scott Crownover, Vice President at McHutchison, “Alexis will bring many fresh perspectives along with respected greenhouse experience.” Alexis’ knowledge of applied production and her network with national vendors will bring immediate value to her customer base.

Katie Anders Joins McHutchison

July 2016

McHutchison Horticultural Distributorshas recently promoted Katie Anders to a Sales Representative in the southeast. Katie is the most recent graduate of the McHutchison internal sales training program where new members of the industry spend a year rotating through internal departments at the corporate office to thoroughly learn the details of the business. Katie is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelors of Science in Plant Science, focusing on Public Horticulture. In addition to her formal education, Katie has spent her entire life working in greenhouses, from her family’s operation as a child and later in retail and wholesale operations through high school and college.

Anders will begin immediately as a sales representative serving North Carolina, South Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. “We are very enthusiastic to have Katie as part of our on-the-road sales team now,” says Scott Crownover, Vice President at McHutchison, “She is a graduate of our one year internal sales training program, so this intimate knowledge of our systems paired with her horticultural knowledge, is going to make her a great asset to her customers.”

Matt Johnson Joins McHutchison

July 2016

McHutchison Horticultural Distributorshas hired Matt Johnson as a new sales representative covering Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Matt is a 2005 graduate of Michigan State University in Horticulture. He grew up in his family’s greenhouse and garden center in Michigan. He spent three years working for Bachman’s Garden Center in Minneapolis, MN before relocating to Colorado where he held positions in sales and marketing in the horticulture industry.

Matt will begin immediately as a sales representative serving Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. “We are very eager to begin working with Matt on our sales team,” says Scott Crownover, Vice President at McHutchison, “He is going to bring some fresh opportunities to the territory.” Matt’s knowledge of production and his experience in retail and marketing will bring immediate value to his customer base.

Jessica Feuerbach Joins McHutchison

October 2015

McHutchison Horticultural Distributorshas hired Jessica Feuerbach as a new Midwestern sales representative. Jessica grew up in the nursery industry in her family business, Pleasant Valley Garden Center, in Iowa City, IA. Most recently though, Jessica worked for Ball Seed Company in West Chicago, IL in the trial gardens and on the Product Development team for Ball Chrysanthemums. Prior to that, she was a grower for Family Tree Nursery, with production locations throughout the Kansas City area.

Jessica will begin immediately as a sales representative serving Missouri, Kansas and Iowa. “I am so excited to have Jessica on our team,” says Vaughn Fletcher, Sales Representative at McHutchison, “She brings so much passion, enthusiasm and personality to the role and has gained a lot of vital experience very early in her career.” Jessica’s knowledge of production and her network with national vendors will bring immediate value to her customer base.

McHutchison Starts Succession Plan

June 2014

Positioning itself for further growth, McHutchison is rolling out a series of managerial changes. Effective July 1, Mike Tizio has been promoted to President-CEO, while Keith Cable and Scott Crownover will become Corporate Vice- Presidents.

“With Mike Tizio as CEO supported by both Scott Crownover and Keith Cable, our long developing succession plan is in place for the foreseeable future, solidifying a team focused on growth,” says Stephen J. Huber, the current CEO-Chairman, who will remain as Chairman of the company.

Mike received his BS in Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture from Cornell University and has a long career of personal growth within McHutchison beginning in 1981. He has been President and served on its Board since 1996.

McHutchison also announced that Scott Crownover of McHutchison and Keith Cable of Vaughan’s Horticulture were both elected Corporate Vice-Presidents. Both are directors on the McHutchison Board.

Keith holds a BA in economics from Denison University, Granville, Ohio. During his career he has focused on sales and sales management positions in several industries, most recently as President of Syngenta Horticultural Services from 2007 to 2012. Keith joined McHutchison in 2012.

Scott has a BA in Business Administration from Western Washington University. He worked as a sales representative for Vaughan’s Seed Company in Washington state and joined McHutchison in 1997 as a sales representative. He went on to become Western Regional Sales Manager and most recently served as Vice President Sales and Marketing.

McHutchison Opens New Vaughan's Division

January 2013

McHutchison is expanding with the opening of a new division, Vaughan’s Horticulture. This division, headquartered in Naperville, Illinois, will focus solely on the commercial greenhouse business.

“We are thrilled to expand geographically and focus more acutely in the greenhouse market,” says Mike Tizio, President, McHutchison.

Establishing Vaughan’s enables McHutchison to bring its tradition of superior service and selection to even more greenhouse industry customers across the country. The division will carry the full McHutchison selection of new and innovative greenhouse products including geraniums, bulbs, foliage, perennials, plugs, poinsettias, pot crops, spring plants, supplies and more.

The new business model will feature two separate and distinct sales forces, while leveraging the synergies of a single operation in market support activities.

Keith Cable Joins McHutchison

November 2012

McHutchison is pleased to announce that effective December 1, Keith Cable, formerly of Syngenta Horticultural Services, will join the senior management team.

This position will allow for special projects with customers and vendors as well as provide flexibility for expansion possibilities. Keith will also serve on the Board of Directors of McHutchison.

Prior to joining McHutchison, Keith was a 20 year veteran of Syngenta. There he held leadership positions in product management and sales and marketing, and was appointed President of Syngenta Horticultural Services in 2007.